Questions asked over the holidays that I smiled and nodded at, but secretly? No. Not one bit ready, not yet.
With Christmas for 5 children to put on, I decided early on not to worry about prepping for baby until the holidays were past. It's not that I don't look forward to the arrival of this one just as much as any of the others, not at all. But if having this many little ones has taught me anything, it is how fast these moments fly by. Our family has morphed a lot over the past 10 years, and every time we add on to our family, as marvelous as that is, we also lose something. These next few months will be our last as a family of 7, the last few months of Peter as the baby. I wanted to soak in this Christmas just as it was - the 7 of us, one last time before someone new and wonderful comes on the scene.
I love being pregnant. Sure, there are some things that are not so pleasant about it, but it has been a joy to carry my babies, feeling their kicks and flutters and feeling them grow stronger and more vibrant as the days wear on. I don't want to rush this phase by pushing on to the next too quickly. Not yet. I'm still reveling in every kick and twitch and marveling at this awesome gift, waking up each morning with that first knowledge and a secret smile.
All this being said, after we took out the tree last week and boxed up our Christmas decorations, I pulled out a tupperware box and prepared to see what we have here for baby number 6. I don't typically hold on to much at all from one child to the next - space here is at such a premium and it is impossible to know what gender or season the next baby might arrive in. We don't do a nursery, and baby doesn't typically have a dresser for clothes. As a result, a keepsake outfit from each of my 5 babes and a handful of knits I simply couldn't part with make up my current layette, along with some vintage rompers from when my husband was a baby.
I have plans for a few pair of quick change pants, some pilot caps, booties and vests for this baby - quick and easy, and not too much. I hope to be able to fit all of her clothes in an under the bed tub for quite a while. Fabric for her own special quilt has been ordered and will be waiting for her when she arrives - just as celebrated and loved as a baby could possibly be.
So a new year begins and I've got 3 months to go - still not totally ready to dive in with baby preparations, still just enjoying this moment just as it is.
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I thought somewhere I read you are having a girl. Did you find out the gender?
ReplyDeleteYes! We found out we are having a girl this time.
DeleteIt's actually nice to hear that someone with a larger family doesn't keep and store all of their clothes. We've been keeping ours thus far and I'm now overwhelmed with all of the containers of hand-me-downs. I've been contemplating if it's worth all of the storage that it requires to keep it all. Excited for you, even though I only know you from reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteWe did for the first few years, but 1) we have no space for such things and 2) clothes don't last forever, even in storage. We have a lot of large family friends who pass along clothes, and so far it hasn't led to us buying new clothes constantly.
DeleteI loved being pregnant too! Good for you not to "rush" through it. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It really feels like a very special time and I want to savor it!
DeleteSuch beautiful hand knits and those vintage rompers are just adorable. I love that you are not rushing into the next moment, but enjoying the ones right now...just the way it should.
ReplyDeleteI understand completely about wanting to savor every moment before the wonderful new little one arrives. I did the same before I gave birth to my 6th! I remember saying to my husband one night while our other littles were tucked away in their beds and we were enjoying our little Lila kicking inside my belly that it might be time to get a couple outfits and diapers for her. She was born 1 1/2 weeks later. We laugh about it now, but I think maybe we waited a little to long to prepare! :)
ReplyDeleteI happy that you and your family got to enjoy a very peaceful holiday season before your new beautiful gift arrives!
I always think, what's the worst that could happen? Baby arrives and we have nothing but a blanket and a few diapers? As long as she is fed and warm and snuggled up with me, she's going to be just fine. Anything else can be acquired later on!
Deletehurray!! a girl! i do appreciate your thoughts here-- we don't find out the sex of our children (my husband is adamant it be a surprise!) but for this one i thought, what if it's a girl? i won't be ready... of course, what does a baby actually need? its mother, really, and everything else is superfluous. and i really like your idea of not keeping much from child to child--just a few things you can't part with.
ReplyDeleteAren't husband's funny? Mine is the opposite! I'd be just as happy not knowing, but when the doctor asks "Do you want to know the gender?" mine always does! We've only had 1 surprise baby so far and it was so fun!
DeleteThe baby clothes you have made/bought are so cute. Do you mind where you bought the white sweater (first picture?) I have a baby coming very soon, too.
ReplyDelete